I began to feel goosebumps as I could imagine a very VERY angry Viper storming around possibly at this very minute trying to find me and crush every single bone in my body. I decided to go below into the storage area of the ship underneath to try and calm myself. But even that proved futile as Yinshen was quick to enter, looking for me.

"Just so you know, there happens to be a green snake slithering this way".

Ah damn it! She's back up already?! It's only been twenty minutes! Okay, don't panic. She might be able to smell fear! Snakes are predators after all!

"Yinshen, please tell me we're already in the air. Please"!

"Just one more rope and we're on our way". I'm surprised how calm she can be at a point like this!

"Then let's hurry! Now"!

"Yinshen? Are you up there"? I heard a calm but familiar voice from outside. If she knows I'm here, my life is over.

"Stay here". Yinshen commanded and walked outside to see what all the fuss was about. All I could do at this point was listen and hope that she does not catch on.

"Hey Viper". I heard Yinshen through the woodwork as she jumped off of the top deck and onto the floor. "How'd you know I'd be here"?

"I figured you'd want to have a look at the ship one last time before it gets taken away to be scraped. Have you seen Mike anywhere"? Viper asked at once.

"I don't believe I have. Is something the matter"?

"He knocked me out not too long ago. I need to find him while I still can".

"So you can snap his neck right"?

I swear Yinshen just said that to freak me out that much more. And it worked. I coiled up slightly and became nervous.

"That's one way of putting it. But, I'm also, well, scared for him. Please don't tell him I said this but, I don't want him to put his life on the line anymore. He's been through too much in so little time".

"With respect Viper, I'm sure"-

"He barely came back last time! What if I never see him again"? Viper snapped back. A few seconds of silence passed. I didn't like it one bit.

"Why's there only one rope holding the ship down"?

My blood turned to ice and my heart beat harder against my chest. The next thing I knew, I heard a small scuffle and it sounded like... someone was climbing up... and I had left my bag on the top deck! I've just gone and effed myself haven't I?

"Where is he Yinshen"? That low and angry voice answered my question.

"It's not what you think Viper". Yinshen kept her calm composure as she followed the green snake back up onto the deck. I could see why Fennu had chosen her to be a spy what with her master-like behavior, being calm in any situation. How I wish I had such nerves of steel, especially for a moment as terrifying as this.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a certain someone slithering down! I quickly formed my body into an archway above the door just before it opened. It slammed right into my lower body and I had to refrain from hissing in agony. Viper slithered into the empty room and begun to look round as though she was hungry for my blood. I had to try and get out and try hiding in the village. Then, I'll return in an hours time when she's gone. Simple right? ...Oh no...

Well, it would have been if she hadn't chosen that exact minute to turn back around, spotting me. I'm dead...

I saw nothing but a green blur suddenly attack me and pin me into the wooden floor just in front of the door. Her face was so close to mine that I could only she her eyes. They looked very very angry.

"Viper... I know this looks bad, but I can explain"-

"Can you? Can you really"? Her voice sounded like she was holding back. I was too afraid to even speak as I faced her wrath. "For goodness sake Mike! What were you thinking"? Her voice raised the more she spoke. I spoke with whatever voice I could find and replied.

"Viper, please. Think about it. This needs to be done to prevent any more attacks on"-

"THINK ABOUT IT? You pull this little stunt and you tell ME to think about it?! What's wrong with you? Do you think I want to go through all that again? Thinking that I had lost you after you were shot? And now you're going back out there! TO KILL YOURSELF"! She outright screaming in my face.

"And if we don't do anything? We may all die Viper. You need to see that"!

"And what about that training we're going through, hmm? Should I just put that on hold for you"?!

"Viper don't"-

"No Mike! I'm not letting you throw away your life on a fools gambit! We're going back"! I couldn't allow that. Not while I was still breathing.

"... No". I responded, mustering all the courage I could. Normally I'd never go against Vipes, but I needed to this one time.

"Excuse me"? Vipes hissed as she kept me pinned down.

"I said. No".

Viper got out of my face at last but it didn't stop her from keeping her anger plastered on her face, glaring at me while I returned the look for several minutes as we stared each other down. However, her anger slowly faded the more she looked at my own face. It faded and was replaced with a look of sadness which broke my own heart until she dived back at me and hugged me tightly.

"I don't want to lose you again"! She sobbed into my chest as I could do nothing but hold her just as tightly as my anger also faded, and responded with "I know... I know you don't". As I tried to keep myself from producing any waterworks myself.

"Mike, please. We can work this out. If can just come back I promise I'll"-

"Vipes. Please. You know there's nothing you or the others can do".

Viper just continued to cry until I figured enough was enough. I carefully stroked her head and lifted it so that she was no longer crying on me.

"Viper, you know that I wouldn't hurt you on purpose. But this is something that really needs to be done. Please tell me you at least follow".

Viper nodded and leaned and just rubbed her face against the side of mine. I could feel her tears falling onto me once again.

"I do follow. I really do. But I don't want to leave you. What if I never see you again"?

"Viper, I know you're upset". Understatement of the year. "But I'm sure that there'll be someone else you may learn to love and cherish in time if I di"-

I was cut off by a sudden kiss. Her body now wrapping around mine. Her flat tongue tickled mine and I couldn't do anything about it even if I wanted her to stop. I managed to break it after about ten or so seconds.

"Don't say that. Ever. You know that will never happen"!

At least I could always count on her loyalty. This time, I kissed her and wrapped the rest of my body round hers. Using this to my advantage, I rolled over to the left and soon enough, I was now pinning her down. I was now the one in control and made sure to kiss her more gently.

"Mike, I know you think there's no choice, but you need to see that there's more than one way around this. You NEED to".

"And what would you have me do"? I slithered off of Viper and just looked out of one of the miniature windows outside. "Wait until we're six feet underground? All of us"?

"Of course not. But what I will say is that both you and Yinshen should give yourselves time to think about what you're doing".

"I don't think we have time to make decisions. Decisions are what's going to be our downfall".

"Not if we think about how to pull it off".

I was too busy staring outside at the homes to notice Viper slither up to me.

"Please Mike".

Great. Now I don't know what to do. Everything Viper has just said has made sense but what if it's only a matter of days time until another force attacks? I didn't know what to do. The last thing I wanted was to disobey orders again, and if we were captured again, well I don't think there would be any hesitation to kill us this time. I tore my gaze off of the window.

"Okay. Okay Vipes, we'll try it your way".

Before I could go, I looked at Viper again before checking the back of her head. No mark thank God.

"I'm so sorry I had to do that. I didn't think I had a choice".

I didn't wait for a response and found Yinshen waiting outside of the door for us. I wouldn't have been surprised if she had heard that entire conversation, these doors aren't exactly sound proof.

"Yinshen, we need to go back to the Jade palace".

"I can't do that Mike".

"Look, I know you want to make Fennu pay but"-

"You really want to turn back now after coming so far"?

"I'd rather turn back while I can rather than not do so and regret it".

"Let me guess, she talked you out of it didn't she"?

"Maybe".

"You know something Mike"?

"What"?

"Sometimes I pity you".

That was all she said before heading back up to the main deck and jumped off the ship, sliding down the last remaining rope and just walked back into town. I just watched as she marched back up the stairs and out of sight. I can only imagine what's running through her head this very moment.

"The feeling's mutual". I repeated to myself before jumping off the ship myself. It was too dark and too late to continue on with the subject any more tonight. The best I can do right now is try to get some sleep. Who knows, maybe she'll see the error of her plan like I had. At least I hoped she would lest she wants to get herself killed.

I didn't even wait for Viper. I felt too ashamed of myself for what she had had to go through for the last several hours. The talk about her past, knocking her out and almost having a nervous breakdown all because of me. I tried to think less of the topic and headed back up the stairs with my bag, containing two red stones.

...

Okay, just so you know, the next chapter will be taking place during the new KFP episode (Eternal Chord) So I'd recommend checking it out before I post the next chapter if you don't want any spoilers. Cheerio!